Williams warns that he won’t run away from strong Scot Kris Carslaw

Liam Williams (12-0-1, 7KO) has warned that he won’t run away from his next opponent, Scotland’s strong contender Kris Carslaw (22-5, 5KO), when they fight on Saturday.

The super-welterweights meet in a defence of the Welshman’s Commonwealth title and the vacant British belt at the Manchester Arena on the undercard of Frank Warren’s ‘Xmas Cracker’ show, live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456).

Williams, a 23-year-old from Clydach Vale in the South Wales valleys, said: “I’m not going to be running away in this fight. I’m going to be holding my feet, getting a good jab off and showing good boxing skills.

“I’ll have a bit more chance in this fight to show off more of what I can do because everyone else hasn’t given me too much of a challenge, I’ve been able to walk through them.”

Carslaw has established himself as a game, live contender since making his debut eight years ago and recently turned over Edinburgh’s highly touted prospect John Thain. The 31-year-old has pushed domestic champions Matthew Hall and Brian Rose close, also going the distance with European champion at the weight above Michel Soro and the world rated Damian Jonak.

Williams, who admits it’s not a foregone conclusion, fancies his chances of becoming the first man to knock Carslaw out. He said: “I think I can stop him inside the distance but I’m not going in to the fight looking to do that. I’m just going to go about my boxing and I’d like to get some rounds in.

“You know, if I’m confortable and no opportunities come up to stop him, I would be happy to go to points and gain the experience but I’d love to stop him, too.”

Unbeaten in 13 fights, arguably without losing a round too, Williams has had it mostly his own way in the first four years of his career with the only disruption being an injury that has ruled him out for the last 13 months. ‘The Machine’ hasn’t had to show his entire arsenal yet but expects to use his full skillset against Carslaw at some point of their 12 round contest.

Williams said: “I haven’t had to go on the back foot yet but it could come to a point in this fight where I might have to. I rate him as a fighter; he’s got a lot of experience, a lot more than me.

“He doesn’t do nothing spectacular but I think he’s a solid all-rounder. I’m obviously confident I’m going to win the fight but I don’t think it’ll be easy fight for me.”